Comments on: Web Sites: Template or Custom? http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/ News, insights, tools, and inspiration for business owners and professionals Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:13:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: AgentGenius http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-82449 AgentGenius Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:32:19 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-82449 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">#agnow I know I am a little late to the discussion on this, but I think that now in 2010, a template CMS is the way... http://bit.ly/b80VwI</span></span> #agnow I know I am a little late to the discussion on this, but I think that now in 2010, a template CMS is the way… http://bit.ly/b80VwI

]]> By: Matt Brooks http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-54281 Matt Brooks Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:14:40 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-54281 I know I am a little late to the discussion on this, but I think that now in 2010, a template CMS is the way to go for anyone in the business. To be successful in these tough times agents should strive to have a complete working knowledge of their CMS. It might be difficult at first, but the results will be worth it! I know I am a little late to the discussion on this, but I think that now in 2010, a template CMS is the way to go for anyone in the business. To be successful in these tough times agents should strive to have a complete working knowledge of their CMS. It might be difficult at first, but the results will be worth it!

]]> By: AgentGenius http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-82450 AgentGenius Sat, 22 May 2010 00:39:41 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-82450 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">#agnow If you want to follow the leader template is just fine, but if you want to be a leader you should have a sys... http://bit.ly/b80VwI</span></span> #agnow If you want to follow the leader template is just fine, but if you want to be a leader you should have a sys… http://bit.ly/b80VwI

]]> By: galtlinedesign http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-52890 galtlinedesign Thu, 20 May 2010 06:24:05 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-52890 If you want to follow the leader template is just fine, but if you want to be a leader you should have a system that gives you the flexibility to add your own features. Template or Custom make sure you can add your own ideas into the mix . There are a few solutions on the market that offer full custom solutions that don't break the bank. An added benefit is building on a nice CMS such as Joomla or Wordpress. Expand through custom plugins, and components, or build your own. Be in control of you online presence and build into the future. If you want to follow the leader template is just fine, but if you want to be a leader you should have a system that gives you the flexibility to add your own features. Template or Custom make sure you can add your own ideas into the mix . There are a few solutions on the market that offer full custom solutions that don’t break the bank. An added benefit is building on a nice CMS such as Joomla or WordPress. Expand through custom plugins, and components, or build your own. Be in control of you online presence and build into the future.

]]> By: Gordon Baker http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-19315 Gordon Baker Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:24:18 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-19315 Whether it is a custom website or template; it you don't work with the site, change content, customize title tags, target your audience, anything will fail. Any success I've had has come from updating content, targeting my market, and providing the information they want. Whether it is a custom website or template; it you don’t work with the site, change content, customize title tags, target your audience, anything will fail. Any success I’ve had has come from updating content, targeting my market, and providing the information they want.

]]> By: Steve Simon http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-17057 Steve Simon Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:37:10 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-17057 Templates and SEO may or may not have anything to do with one another. Conversion may or may not have anything to do with templates. Content will most certainly determine your level of SEO, and your rates of conversion... As far as SEO: A free wordpress theme, with a static page set to the landing page and engaging content in posts written and updated regularly will win everytime over a glitzy site with no real content. As far as conversion (having the visitor take action) I think maybe the $40, 000 site would be a nice thing to have :) But again I have seen some very compelling calls to action on free wordpress themes (and Dreamweaver out of the box sites)... If you really want to learn about this subject (and for free!) I suggest you start hanging around the google webmaster help group and read a few thousand posts! You will find that as far as Google is concerned if you want to have only one goal, let it be the creation of compelling useful content for your site. Over and over this is the one truth that shines through. Save your site development dollars and create solid content. This doesn't mean you should disregrad things like valid code, alt tags for images, having two domain calls without a preference (www and no www) and 200 other important things; but first is content! Templates and SEO may or may not have anything to do with one another.

Conversion may or may not have anything to do with templates.

Content will most certainly determine your level of SEO, and your rates of conversion…

As far as SEO:
A free wordpress theme, with a static page set to the landing page and engaging content in posts written and updated regularly will win everytime over a glitzy site with no real content.

As far as conversion (having the visitor take action) I think maybe the $40, 000 site would be a nice thing to have :) But again I have seen some very compelling calls to action on free wordpress themes (and Dreamweaver out of the box sites)…

If you really want to learn about this subject (and for free!) I suggest you start hanging around the google webmaster help group and read a few thousand posts!

You will find that as far as Google is concerned if you want to have only one goal, let it be the creation of compelling useful content for your site.

Over and over this is the one truth that shines through.
Save your site development dollars and create solid content.

This doesn’t mean you should disregrad things like valid code, alt tags for images, having two domain calls without a preference (www and no www) and 200 other important things; but first is content!

]]> By: Sue http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-14456 Sue Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:25:37 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-14456 Both my sites are templates. #1 is an oldie and I know most don't like it, but its served me well over the years. My REW template has attained good presence for my towns. I do try to work the on site blog regularly and keep the content fresh. I am of the belief that its good for SEO and even if it isn't, there should be up to date content and new info on the site for clients. Both my sites are templates. #1 is an oldie and I know most don’t like it, but its served me well over the years. My REW template has attained good presence for my towns. I do try to work the on site blog regularly and keep the content fresh. I am of the belief that its good for SEO and even if it isn’t, there should be up to date content and new info on the site for clients.

]]> By: Jim Gatos http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-14172 Jim Gatos Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:40:51 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-14172 I wouldn't even be asking most of those "custom website" designers about blogs; they either try to discourage you because they don't have one, or they try to sell you an overpriced propreitory blog if they do. Two readers signed up this week on my blog as new buyers wanting to search for properties and I have a self hosted wordpress blog. I did what you guys are telling me to do and it seems to be working.. Keep your independence and don't start blogs on ActiveRain, Realtor.com and your IDX provider. Even Typepad, it scared me after I tried it for a couple of days.. I wouldn’t even be asking most of those “custom website” designers about blogs; they either try to discourage you because they don’t have one, or they try to sell you an overpriced propreitory blog if they do. Two readers signed up this week on my blog as new buyers wanting to search for properties and I have a self hosted wordpress blog. I did what you guys are telling me to do and it seems to be working..

Keep your independence and don’t start blogs on ActiveRain, Realtor.com and your IDX provider. Even Typepad, it scared me after I tried it for a couple of days..

]]> By: Glenn fm Naples http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-14164 Glenn fm Naples Sat, 19 Jul 2008 13:53:03 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-14164 A few short years ago (2002), probably template sites were good for real estate agents first venturing with the Internet and likely it is true today, if the template allows the agent to add and update content. It gives them the experience of working on a site with little understanding of the coding and if the company supplying the template has a forum, it gives the individual to exchange ideas and thoughts. A web site is never finished - the content should be updated as required. I do find it surprising (my site included) when you read something about a neighborhood and you can tell it is out-dated. Hence, a blog allows for updating with current information to supplement the static pages. A few short years ago (2002), probably template sites were good for real estate agents first venturing with the Internet and likely it is true today, if the template allows the agent to add and update content. It gives them the experience of working on a site with little understanding of the coding and if the company supplying the template has a forum, it gives the individual to exchange ideas and thoughts.

A web site is never finished – the content should be updated as required. I do find it surprising (my site included) when you read something about a neighborhood and you can tell it is out-dated. Hence, a blog allows for updating with current information to supplement the static pages.

]]> By: Elaine Reese http://agbeat.com/real-estate-coaching-tutorials/re-software/web-sites-template-or-custom/#comment-14147 Elaine Reese Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:24:39 +0000 http://agentgenius.com/?p=2497#comment-14147 Jay, yes, it's really the meta tags which I keep reading are no longer used much by the search engines. Like others have said, I did away with all the canned content and I made sure to pick a design that doesn't use frames. It has a PR3 and gets decent business Notice I said BUSINESS, not traffic! (what good is traffic if you don't get any clients from it?) Of course, my blog is the big hitter for business. BTW, per your request, my web site is just my name dot com. Your help would be welcomed. Jay, yes, it’s really the meta tags which I keep reading are no longer used much by the search engines. Like others have said, I did away with all the canned content and I made sure to pick a design that doesn’t use frames. It has a PR3 and gets decent business Notice I said BUSINESS, not traffic! (what good is traffic if you don’t get any clients from it?)

Of course, my blog is the big hitter for business. BTW, per your request, my web site is just my name dot com. Your help would be welcomed.

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